Nigeria's first goalkeeper lives in squalor

Sam Ibiam. Ever heard of the name? He was Nigeria's first ever national goalkeeper, the man who manned the post for the UK Tourists, Nigeria's first national football team far back in the late 1940s. You might not have berthed on this planet when Pa Ibiam dazzled millions across the world with his magic hands. Nigeria did not even exist as a free country in those pre-independence days when Pa Ibiam and his fellow stars reigned among football-loving folks from Kakawa to Kaduna, from Calabar to Kaura Namoda to the United Kingdom.

But soccer lovers and indeed, followers of the round leather game would have learnt of the incredible exploits performed on the soccer field by members of the then UK Tourists. Those were the days the likes of Teslim 'Thunder' Balogun, Dan Anyiam, Skipper Ewa Henshaw and other members of the team mesmerized with the ball before and shortly after the nation's independence in 1960.

Pa Ibiam was among the 18 Nigerian footballers who embarked on a tour of England in August 1949.

As expected, virtually all of the 'boys' of yesteryears have since passed on, and the only one remaining is now in the twilight of his days. Pa Ibiam is the last surviving member of that clan of sporting heroes.

At 85, you'd expect this great-grandfather of Nigerian goaltenders to be living a comfortable life, nestled comfortably in a cosy house, reaping the fruits of his hard labour. You would have expected that the government he so faithfully served in his youthful years would come to his aid now that he is too old to work. But if you harbour such thoughts, you would be living in dreamland.

The bitter truth is that Pa Ibiam and many others who did the nation proud in their younger years have been cruelly abandoned to their fate by Nigeria at a time they can scarcely fend for themselves.

Some are luckier though. While Thunder Balogun and Dan Anyiam have stadia named after them in their respective states of Lagos and Imo, Sam Ibiam has no structure bearing his name either in his native state or anywhere in Nigeria.

Pa Ibiam, known in his playing days as The Cat or The Black Magnet, now lives in a modest bungalow in his hometown, Unwana in Afikpo, Ebonyi State. It is in the house that the reporter, alongside Chief Jasper Okoro, the amiable editor-in-chief of National Standard, the Ebonyi State government owned newspaper, spends about ten minutes with the retired keeper this hot Thursday afternoon.

Locating Pa Ibiam's home in Unwana will pose little problem for even the first time visitor. All you need do is mention his name and several people will offer to take you to the nondescript bungalow where the octogenarian ex-goaltender dwells.

Spotting a white sports jersey and shorts, the retired footballer is in his elements. After welcoming his impromptu guests, Pa Ibiam invites you to his living room, a sparsely furnished apartment with several posters, calendars and glazed photographs adorning the wall.

Among the photographs are some black and whites where a much younger Sam Ibiam poses with his fellow team mates in the national team.The government might not have looked his way, but papa is a hero among his people.

"The recognition is encouraging, at least by the people," the old man says in a voice packed full with verve and vitality. "If you say by the people, you are right. But as for the government, there is no recognition. None at all."

In the mid and late 40s, Pa Ibiam was a consummate soccer player. He played professional football across the country and in Accra before he was invited to the Nigeria's national team after participating in what was known then as the Governor's Cup.

"In our days, we played with pride and patriotism," he recalls with some nostalgia. "In those days, everyone played for pride, not for money. We were happy playing for our country unlike what is happening now."

But Pa Ibiam will not blame football players who demand for their due before they lace their boots for the country. "They are learning from us because they know what we suffered for the country," he says. "We did all these things for the country with open minds. Unfortunately, the government didn't care about us. So the boys who demand for money before they play for the country are only being smart.

They know it is whatever they get now that they will ever get from the government. As soon as they can't play again, the government will abandon them. So, I don't blame them."

In their heydays, there was a myth about one of Pa Ibiam's compatriots, Teslim 'Thunder' Balogun. Balogun was said to have once kicked a shot that tore through a goalkeeper's tummy, with the ball forcefully escaping through the dead keeper's open back. Pa Ibiam's laugh is infectious as he dismisses the fallacy. "Don't mind them. Nothing like that ever happened," he informs.Does he still watch football? Not often, he confesses.

"I lost interest because of the treatment given us. Since we stopped playing, no government has deemed it fit to recognise what we did for Nigeria. All that has more or less killed one's interest in the game. That is why I hardly watch soccer these days."

"In 1986, the Rivers State government invited us because I played for Port Harcourt before. So the then Rivers State Commissioner for Sports invited their old players to Port Harcourt. That was when they were commissioning their new stadium in the city. That was all. A year later, the Sports Commission gave us honour in Lagos. All those sports men who had taken part in sports both in Nigeria and overseas were honoured. The late Chief MKO Abiola, state governors and many other important people were there. They promised us cars because they said that would enable us go to the stadium to watch matches. But even that promise was not fulfilled. And if you go to them to ask them to fulfill their promise, you would never see them and their aides would be making fun of you. That is why I lost interest."

At 85, many of Pa Ibiam's compatriots would be frail and bent with age. But Pa Ibiam presents a refreshing difference. Not only is he strong and agile, the ex-footballer is also very alert mentally. What's the secret of his healthy looks?

"It's God," he says. "I give God the glory for keeping me alive and blessing me with good health. And don't forget this is Unwana. We eat a lot of fresh fish here."

But don't ask the retired footballer to offer a word of advice for the Nigerian government on how to take care of the nation's past heroes. "Why should I advise them," he counters. "Even you talking, I'm sure you know what the problem is and how to solve it. Everyone knows the right thing to do. I have no suggestions for them."

Vanguard

Related stories: The World Cup comes to Nigeria

Football Legend Pele predicts Africa has a great chance of making it to the World Cup Final

Documentary - Nigerian fraudsters targeting football youth

Man beheads judge over court ruling

A 22 year old woman in Lagos, Ijeoma Ibezim, used a razor blade to kill her friend, a 25-year old salesgirl, by cutting her in the face following a quarrel over a bucket of water, the police in Lagos said yesterday.

They said the two ladies lived together with two other ladies in the same one-room apartment in the Ajegunle area of Apapa local government area of the state, and that they had been living together without problems until last Saturday, when a minor argument ensued between them.

It was also gathered that the parents of the Fulani man's wife had instituted a divorce suit before the area court in Yashikira over constant beating of their daughter by the husband who they described as a 'rascal'.

The judge after hearing and deliberation on the case, reportedly granted the parents' prayers to dissolve the marriage. The herdsman then resolved to personally deal with the judge, it was also gathered. At the close of work on that day, when the court clerk and assistant took the late judge's books to his home, they met him dead. The head was severed from the body.

The command's Public Relations Officer ASP Dabo Ezekiel said the corpse had already been released for burial.

Daily Trust

Related stories: 50 year old man beheads his wife

Man sets pregnant wife on fire

70 year old man bites of fingers of 28 year old wife because she refused having sex

Shell cuts output over attack in Niger Delta

SHELL announced on Monday that it has shut in some oil production in Niger Delta after a key supply pipeline was sabotaged.

"We have shut in some output as a result of the vandalisation of the Trans Ramos pipeline in our western operations at the weekend," Shell Spokesperson, Precious Okolobo, told AFP.

He said a leak was observed on Saturday, the leak was stopped and an investigation has confirmed the leak was due to a sabotage.

"Three flow stations were shut down to allow for the investigation. Repairs will commence as soon as possible."

Okolobo did not disclose the volume of production loss suffered.

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) issued a statement on Monday to say that it did not attack the pipeline, even though it had threatened at the weekend to call off its truce agreed with Abuja on October 25 last year.

The MEND clarified, nonetheless, that it fully supports the attack by those it called freelance freedom fighters.

Joint Task Force Spokesman, Timothy Antigha, said the situation is being studied.

The MEND has threatened to resume "all-out" violent attacks on oil facilities, claiming it has received no effective peace dividend from the amnesty deal.

It explained that it had ordered the ceasefire in the hope of securing talks with the government, "true dialogue founded on a sincere desire to bring justice to the people of the Niger Delta, and true peace to Nigeria."

But three months on, the MEND said, "It is sufficiently clear that the Nigerian Government has no intentions of considering" its demands.

Oil prices on Monday rose above $73 per barrel (pb), driven by news of attacks on an oil pipeline in Nigeria.

The attacks are a "noticeable setback" for Nigeria's oil industry, said JBC Energy in Vienna.

"If these attacks continue, the recent upswing in the country's crude production from 1.7 million barrels per day (bpd) last July to two million (bpd) in January might turn out to have only been a short period of relief for the country's plagued upstream industry," JBC Energy alerted.

Armed groups seeking a fairer share of oil revenue for Niger Deltans have since 2006 staged attacks on oil installations in the region, playing havoc with crude output and international oil prices.

At the peak of the attacks the violence slashed Nigeria's crude production by about one million bpd, which saw Angola overtake it as Africa's top oil producer.

Shell, one of the top oil operators in Nigeria, has seen much of its almost one million bpd output slashed because of the unrest.

Last weekend, it announced the transfer of its interest in three production licences and related equipment in the Niger Delta to a consortium of two Nigerian companies.

Shell Managing Director, Mutiu Sunmonu, said the sale supports Nigeria's goal of expanding opportunities for local energy companies.

"We have been in Nigeria for more than 50 years and remain committed to doing business here. This transaction should be seen in the context of Shell's active portfolio management of its assets and interests across the world," he explained.

"The agreement covers Shell's 30 per cent interest in oil mining leases 4, 38 and 41 covering approximately 2,650 square kilometres in the north western Niger Delta.

"The buyer is Seplat Petroleum Company Limited, a Nigerian company jointly held by two Nigerian firms, Platform Petroleum Limited and Shebah Petroleum Development Company Limited, along with Maurel & Prom of France.

"The agreement is subject to the approval of the Federal Government of Nigeria and the national oil company, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC)."

Shell is the operator of the joint venture among the NNPC (55 per cent), Shell (30 per cent), Total E&P (10 per cent ), and Agip Oil (five per cent).

Sumonu said Total and Agip will also transfer their interests in the three oil mining leases.

"The area includes about 30 wells with a production capacity of approximately 50,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day. The wells also produce natural gas for domestic and industrial use.

"Crude production is currently shut down awaiting completion of repairs to an export pipeline damaged in late 2008."

Daily Independent

Related stories: Video - Unrest in Nigeria

 Nigerian militants end truce in Niger Delta oil region

Wole Soyinka says Nigeria is becoming a failed state

Video - Oil War

U.S., EU wade into Nigeria crisis

World powers Thursday waded into the row in Nigeria over the president's health, lamenting the "uncertainty" caused by his absence as his deputy promised that he would return home soon.

"Nigeria is going through a period of uncertainty because of the prolonged illness of President Musa Umaru Yar'Adua," said a joint statement by the United States, European Union, Britain and France.

The powers said they welcomed constitutional efforts in Nigeria, Africa's most populous nation and one of the world's top oil producers, to "resolve the question of governing authority in the president's prolonged absence".

The 58-year-old president has been receiving treatment for a serious heart condition in Saudi Arabia since November 23.

"Nigeria's stability and democracy carry great significance beyond its immediate borders," given its importance as a global oil producer and stabilising force in west Africa, said the statement.

It was signed by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, British Foreign Secretary David Miliband, France's Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner and European Union High Representative Catherine Ashton.

Angola Press

Related stories: Video - Unrest in Nigeria

Wole Soyinka says Nigeria is becoming a failed state

Hillary Clinton attacks corruption and bad governance in Nigeria

 

Malaysia nabs two Nigerian accomplices

Ten terror suspects including two Nigerians said to be accomplices of Christmas Day United States jetliner failed bomber, Umar Farouk AbdulMutallab, have been arrested in Malaysia, the country has announced.

They include four men from Syria, two from Nigeria and one each from Yemen and Jordan, said Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh, head of a rights group that assists people held under Malaysia's Internal Security Act, which allows indefinite detention without trial.

The country has not released the name of the suspected terrorists.

They were among 50 people arrested by police while attending a religious talk by a Syrian university lecturer on January 21 at a home near Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia's largest city, Syed Ibrahim said. The others were later released.

The Malaysian government-owned New Straits Times newspaper said foreign anti-terrorism agencies told authorities that the suspects were in Malaysia and were linked to a young Nigerian man accused of trying to detonate a bomb hidden in his underwear during a flight from Amsterdam to Detroit on Christmas Day.

The newspaper did not say how it obtained the information or how they were linked.

Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein refused to give other details yesterday, saying it might jeopardize investigations. He said the detainees posed a "serious threat" to security and their arrests were based on co-operation with foreign intelligence agencies.

"This is a very good wake-up call for us because the playground for terrorists is no longer just one nation. The whole world is their playground," he said.

The suspects include students at a Malaysian university, said Syed Ibrahim, the rights activist. He urged the government to either charge them to court or release them.

Activists identified one detainee as Aiman Al Dakkak, a Syrian university lecturer who has been living in Malaysia since 2003. He gave regular religious classes but did not advocate terrorism to his students, said Muhamad Yunus Zainal Abidin, a Malaysian who was arrested at the class and released several hours later.

Interrogators did not ask those freed about any ties to AbdulMutallab, Muhamad Yunus told a news conference.

Over the past decade, Malaysian authorities have held more than 100 militant suspects, mainly alleged members of the al-Qaida-linked Southeast Asian network Jemaah Islamiyah, which has been blamed for attacks including the 2002 bombing on the Indonesian island of Bali that killed 202 people.

Most were released after being held for years in a northern prison centre. Authorities say they were rehabilitated and no longer posed a threat. None was ever charged in court.

This Day

Related stories: Family of Nigerian bomb suspect issues statement

Video report on Nigerian terrorist attempt to blow up U.S. airliner

Nigerian tries to blow up U.S. airliner

Stephanie Okereke brings NYFA to Niger Delta

As a way of finding a lasting solution to the incessant cases of youth restiveness and militancy in the constantly troubled Niger Delta region, Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, in collaboration with the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), has announced the offer of sponsorships to youths from the state to the prestigious New York Film Academy (NYFA) coming to Nigeria in February.

Also, as part of his organisation's empowerment and economic rejuvenation agenda for young people of the Niger Delta region, the Managing Director of the NDDC, Chibuzor Ugwoha, has endorsed and supported award of scholarship to 370 youths from the region.

The 370 lucky candidates drawn from all the South South states are to be trained by the world's leading film school, the prestigious NYFA, who interestingly, will be making a landmark visit to Nigeria in February 2010, for an intensive training programme, holding in the cities of Abuja and Lagos.

The academy's historic training visit to Nigeria will be its first to Africa, organised and powered by Del-York International, a Nigerian-based advocacy and capacity-building company, the coming visit promises to be memorable and all encompassing.

Elaborating on the visit as well as the training for the lucky candidates, Linus Idahosa, the MD/CEO, Del-York International, explained that the Rivers State/NDDC sponsored initiative was a special privilege for youths of Niger Delta to immediately join the growing number of registered candidates sponsored by other institutions and states across the country. He said that it would also help them acquire practical and competitive skills on various aspects of filmmaking and digital communications from world-class masters.

"The course will include hands-on training with cutting edge filmmaking equipment that will be flown in from the U.S. For the Amaechi-led administration, the training forms part of its commitment to curbing the menace of unemployment by empowering young people with functional skills that will make them economically self-reliant and able to contribute to the developmental aspirations of the region," Idahosa said.

"This is a result-oriented programme that will identify raw talents as well as hone the skills of professionals in the industry. Following the training, an international standard movie will be produced involving candidates from the programme."

Meanwhile, top actress Stephanie Okereke, who is also an executive director with Del-York International, has urged all those interested in applying for the programme to visit any Zenith Bank branch and pick-up their registration forms.

"Completed forms should be submitted to the same branch not later than February 18. This is a once in a life-time opportunity with limited spaces, thus early registration is recommended," she said.

Daily Independent

Related stories: New York Film Academy holds training for Nigerian filmmakers

Stephanie Okereke wins African Goodwill Award

Nigeria's entertainment industry

Unrest in Nigeria

CNN's Christian Purefoy talks to Nigerians about the rising unrest around the country.

Related stories: Nigerian militants end truce in Niger Delta oil region

The oil must flow - video report on amnesty deal in Nigeria 

Kidnapping culture in Nigeria on the rise

Wole Soyinka says Nigeria is becoming a failed state

Documentary on rebranding Nigeria

Court remands man for impersonating EFCC

Justice Abimbola Banjoko of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Gudu, Abuja, on Thursday ordered that Victor Osita Uwajeh, arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for forgery and impersonation, to be remanded in prison.

The court also fixed of February 9 for the adoption of written submissions and hearing of the bail application in the case brought against him by the anti-graft agency.

Uwajeh was arraigned on a four-count charge of forgery and for parading himself as a staff of the EFCC with the intent to defraud unsuspecting members of the public.

A statement by EFCC spokesman, Femi Babafemi, said Uwajeh's offence contravenes section 363 of the Penal Code Act Cap 532 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 1990, adding that it is punishable under section 364 of the same Act.

The statement explained that when the matter came up in court, Uwajeh pleaded not guilty to the charges, adding that soon after he took his plea, counsel to EFCC, Mike Bul, asked the court to fix a date for hearing of the case as the commission has enough evidence to prosecute the matter.

Attempts by defence counsel, Chris Onwugeonu, to move for bail was unsuccessful as the presiding judge turned down the request.

According to Banjoko, bail application was not ripe as the prosecuting counsel is statutorily entitled to 48 hours to respond, having just been served the application in court.

It will be recalled that Uwajeh was arrested at his Wuse II, Abuja, residence on January 13 following an intelligence report indicating that he was parading himself as an official of EFCC.

His arrest led to the recovery of incriminating items.

Daily Independent

Related stories: EFCC bust 800 scam sites and 18 syndicates

 Video report on the EFCC crackdown on corruption in Nigeria

Nigerian government reacts to Sony's Playstation 3 Ad

Documentary on rebranding Nigeria

Nigeria militants end truce in Niger Delta oil region

The main rebel group in Nigeria's oil-rich Niger Delta says it is ending the ceasefire it declared last October.

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (Mend) said it did not believe the government would restore control of resources to local people.

Mend has demanded that residents be given a greater share in profits from oil resources and land.

It warned oil companies to prepare for what it called an all-out onslaught against installations and personnel.

In a statement announcing the end of the ceasefire, Mend said that the decision had been taken "after careful consideration and extensive consultation".

"All companies related to the oil industry in the Niger Delta should prepare for an all-out onslaught," it went on.

"Nothing will be spared," it added.

Militants have carried out a series of attacks which have cost Nigeria millions in lost revenue over the years.

The attacks have meant that facilities in the area have been unable to work beyond two-thirds capacity, costing $1bn a month in lost revenue.

Despite the ceasefire, one Mend faction attacked a pipeline in December, saying it was a "warning strike" over what it called government delays in progressing with peace talks.

Talks have been held up by the long absence of President Umaru Yar'Adua in Saudi Arabia, where he has been undergoing medical treatment. 

BBC

Related stories: MEND resumes attacks

Video - Oil War

The oil must flow - video report on amnesty deal in Nigeria 

Kidnapping culture in Nigeria on the rise

IJE The Journey - Official trailer

The queen of Nollywood Genevieve Nnaji stars along side Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde in IJE The Journey. Director Chineze Anyaene takes Nollywood in the right direction with IJE showing respectable production values.

IJE tells a tale of Chioma, a child growing up in the Nigerian countryside, who warned her restless sister, Anya, about the trappings of the American Dream. Now ten years later, Anya is accused of killing three men in a Hollywood Hills mansion—one of them her record producer-husband. Chioma travels from Nigeria to Los Angeles, and with the help of a young, unproven attorney, discovers that the dark secret her sister wants to keep hidden might be the only thing that can win her freedom.

Related stories: Interview with the Father of Nollywood

Nollywood in Retrospect-Video documentary

CNN covers the Nollywood industry

Video - Nigeria's entertainment industry

Black Stars outshine Super Eagles in Semifinal

Ghana have booked their place in the Africa Cup of Nations final for the first time in 18 years after beating west African rivals Nigeria 1-0 in Luanda on Thursday.

The Super Eagles controlled large parts of the semifinal, but were unable to find a goal after Asamoah Gyan had given Ghana the lead midway through the first half.

The Nigerians have been far from convincing in this tournament, bar perhaps the 3-0 win over Mozambique in the group stages, and they could not turn that poor form around against a young, inexperienced Ghana side who appeared to be living off adrenalin alone.

These are heady days for Black Stars fans, with the juniors having won the 2009 FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Egypt recently, and the senior team having first sealed World Cup qualification in South Africa, and now a place in the final of the continental championship.

Ghana saw little possession in the early stages of tonight’s semifinal, but were ahead on 21 minutes. A Kwadwo Asamoah corner was curled to the near post and Gyan stole in ahead of his marker to nod the ball home.

Nigeria should have been level seven minutes later as Peter Odemwingie tried his luck from 35 yards out. But he succeeded only in hitting it straight at Obafemi Martins, who controlled brilliantly just inside the area but could not beat Richard Kingson in the Ghana goal despite having the time and space to pick his spot.

Odemwingie then missed a fairly simple headed chance, before shooting wide when well placed as Nigeria began to create some clear-cut openings.

It was then Martins' turn to miss two further chances, first completing a “fresh air” shot after John Obi Mikel's cushioned header, and then finding the out-stretched right arm of Kingson as he was put clean through on goal.

Elderson Echiejile drove a ball across the box, but it hit Yakubu Aiyegbeni on the thigh right in front of goal and went wide, with the Everton man having no chance to control it despite having the goalmouth at his mercy.

Yakubu and Martins both had chances behind the Ghana defence, but the Super Eagles’ frustration mounted as they repeatedly failed to get a shot away from inside the six-yard box.

Ghana proved able to ride the wave of pressure and deservedly booked their place in Sunday's final, while Nigeria will have to be content with a place in the third-place play-off on Saturday.

All Africa

Related stories: Emmanuel Amuneke fears for Eagles in Angola

Ikechukwu Uche welcomes Super Eagles criticism

UNESCO on poverty in Nigeria

The 2010 Global Monitoring Report (GMR) of the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), which revealed that about 92 per cent of the Nigerian population survive on less than $2 daily, while about 71 per cent survive on less than $1 daily, is a major embarrassment for the supposed 'Giant of Africa.'

Interestingly, the report, entitled 'Reaching for the marginalized,' came against the backdrop of fears earlier expressed by many concerned individuals and organizations, including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) that unless urgent steps are taken by Nigeria and other African countries, they will not meet the 2015 target date for attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Eradicating extreme poverty and hunger is Goal No.1 of the development strategy produced under the umbrella of the United Nations to enable member countries, especially the developing countries, to reduce the poverty rate by at least 50 per cent in 2015.

Sadly, current indices show that Nigeria and most countries in Africa are not even moving in the direction of achieving the MDGs by the set target date.

That Nigeria, with its enormous resources and potentials, is sitting 20th among the world's poorest countries, is to say the least disgusting.

The truth is that there is, indeed, widespread poverty in the land, and the consequences of this to the development of the nation have been grave.

Nigeria moved from a per capita GDP of US$1,200 in 1981, to about US$300 in 2000 with about 70 percent of its population falling below the poverty line, according to the World Bank.

Considering that nothing much has changed development-wise in the country since then, the latest report would not have come as a surprise to many, except government officials, who dissipate more energy denying the obvious than they expend on addressing the frightening problem of poverty.

Indeed, most of governments' poverty alleviation programmes, which receive billions of naira in grants and allocation, have been roundly criticized as mere direct transfers of cash to politically selected beneficiaries.

As a result of large scale corruption, the quality of life of most Nigerians has been progressively on the decline.

While the generality of Nigerians continue to wallow in abject poverty, however, a privileged few, live in opulence.

Poverty has, indeed, become the face of Nigeria and poses a serious threat to the development of the country.

Although poverty is more acute in rural areas where the people hardly have access to any basic infrastructure, city dwellers, especially those who live in urban slums, still grapple with this unfortunate situation.

Going by the UNESCO latest report, it is clear that Nigeria is still very far from meeting the global economic development target.

The situation is so bleak that an average salary earner cannot earn enough to support a family because of rising cost of food items, transportation, healthcare, among numerous other challenges.

Added to this, is the fact that the material condition of women, who comprise 50 percent of the population, is even worse than that of men.

The well being of women in general, including their education, and active participation in political activities, has been so neglected over the years that the few concessions being made to them now, have not been enough to make any difference.

While government officials may continue to kick against these statistics by international organizations, the basic fact is that the quality of life of most Nigerians has been on the downward trend. The rising poverty level is the consequence of mass unemployment and corrupt leadership, which denies the people access to basic infrastructure such as roads, potable water, electricity, healthcare among others.

This may well explain the alarming level of insecurity and crime in the country, leading to high incidences of kidnapping, political violence, sectarian violence as well as prostitution and child trafficking.

We acknowledge that one way out of poverty is not to indulge in these vices. We, however, stress that government must take seriously, the saying that an idle mind is the devil's workshop.

Our youths must be trained and be engaged in productive ventures for the benefit of the nation. In doing this, girl-child education must be given serious attention, since a nation that ignores the potentials of its female population is obviously planning to fail.

To reduce the poverty level in Nigeria to the barest minimum, government should, as a matter of urgency, work towards the diversification of the country's economy, to reduce dependence on oil revenue, especially in the face of the current global financial crisis.

There must be more investments in intensive mechanized agriculture just as efforts should be made to develop small scale and medium scale enterprises, which are important for the growth of the economy.

There should, also, be credible elections where people will be free to choose their leaders. The war on corruption, which at the moment, seems to have slowed down must be fought more vigorously.

Mass literacy programmes must be embarked upon since education is a potent weapon against poverty.

Above all, government must create the enabling environment for business to thrive.

Nigeria, with its enormous resources, has no business making the poverty list. The gap between the rich and the poor should not be as wide as it has continued to be, in the interest of all.

Daily Champion

Related stories: Poverty rate dropes in Nigeria

Video - CNN shows Nigerian children learning a life of poverty and violence

Video - Investing in Nigeria

Defence chiefs warn against coup

On Monday, both the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Paul Dike, and the Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Abdurahman Dambazau, warned military personnel not to plot a coup d'etat against President Umaru Yar'Adua, whose health condition Senators will debate today.

Dike pledged at the commissioning of the Nigerian Army Forward Operational Base in Abuja that the military under his leadership will stick to its constitutional role of defending Nigeria's territorial integrity without meddling in politics.

He said reports that the military seeks to take over governance because of Yar'Adua's poor health and incapacitation are not true.

His words: "I am compelled to remind everyone of the constitutional role of the Armed Forces, which is primarily anchored on the protection of Nigeria's territorial integrity. Meddling in political issues does not complement our constitutional role in any way, shape or form.

"I therefore warn all members of the Armed Forces to steer clear of politics. Ours is a military that is mindful of its past, conscious of its present, and hopeful of the future. The Nigerian Armed Forces will therefore not depart from their chosen path of honour.

"I urge all of you to remain focused and committed to the service of our fatherland. We must always remind ourselves that politics is better played by politicians.

"Also, I must not fail to stress that regardless of the imperfection of our political experiments, democracy remains the only acceptable form of governance. And as members of the Nigerian Armed Forces, we must defend it at all costs."

Dambazau also told military officers to beware of politicians who may want to use them to fan the embers of disunity.

"We want to state categorically that, in the Nigerian Army, our religion is espirit de corps while our tribe is the military profession, and our training has placed us above primordial sentiments. The barracks is not a political battlefield, and our soldiers are not tools to be used for creating disunity," he stressed.

He affirmed the Army's commitment to its constitutional responsibilities and to contribute meaningfully to the entrenchment of democracy.

"We have said repeatedly that, the subsisting democratic environment in the country today gives us a lot of advantage in the pursuance of professionalism.

"Let me remind all officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army to remain loyal to constituted authorities, and be wholly committed to their constitutional responsibilities, and be apolitical at all times."

Dambazau exonerated the Army from the carnage in Jos, in which soldiers are accused of genocide, and warned the sponsors of violence countrywide to have a re-think in the interest of the nation.

He warned that Nigeria should not push its luck too far as any crisis that will make the United Nations to send in peace keepers will likely spell doom for the country.

"The Nigerian Army has in recent times noted with dismay some of the unnecessary, unwarranted, and inflammatory comments, statements, and utterances in some quarters capable of creating a sense of insecurity and dragging us back to the dark days of our nation's history.

"We are equally aware of the attempt by some people to drag the Army, which has remained neutral but absolutely committed to the survival of our nascent democracy, into the political affairs of this country.

"We also noted that some persons, who apparently do not value peace, are hell bent on creating disaffection between the military and the public, particularly with reference to the Jos crisis. Of course, we can safely assume that such persons find it impossible to commit other atrocities whenever we deploy to keep the peace, hence their frustration.

"Lest we forget, the military was swift and decisive in containing the Boko Haram debacle, and will therefore not hesitate to equally deal decisively with any form of mayhem whenever the need arises."

Dambazau said it is imperative that "the trouble makers in our midst," a negligible few, are not allowed to promote anarchy and their personal interest at the expense of the collective national interest and public order.

This is most important, he added, especially because experiences in peacekeeping operation have shown that at the end of it all, it is the poor, the elderly, women, and children who are the victims of such crises.

He reiterated that the military has made a lot of sacrifices for Nigeria's peace and stability, and will continue to maintain its neutral status, despite efforts to discourage that "through the campaigns of calumny recently experienced."

He noted that the military has seen the extent to which ethnic and religious crises ravaged many countries the world over.

"We participated in post-conflict stabilisation in many of such countries, we do not pray that we reverse the position in which citizens of other countries are sent to Nigeria for peace support operations.

"The Nigerian Army urges all stakeholders in our national affairs to eschew violence and promote peace and tranquility in Nigeria. This advice is borne out of our experiences of the consequences visited on countries that have gone through crisis lately."

Danbazau maintained that soldiers deployed in Jos are not given the order to shoot at anyone but maintain the peace.

"I have not received a mandate to enforce peace in Jos but only to maintain peace. We got directives to enforce peace during the Boko Haram crisis, and that was why we had to use minimal force in quelling the uprising.

"In the case of Jos, we were not given a mandate to enforce peace, so I can tell you authoritatively that no soldier deployed in Jos has fired a single shot at anybody. We have rules of engagement and we are sticking to them religiously."

In Abuja today, Senators will meet behind closed doors to deliberate on Yar'Adua's health and his continued absence from duty, 64 days after he was flown to Saudi Arabia for treatment.

They are expected to decide whether to issue a deadline to Yar'Adua to comply with Section 145 of the Constitution or transmit a letter to enable Vice President Goodluck Jonathan act in his absence.

Last Friday, the Abuja Federal High Court ordered the Federal Executive Council (FEC) to "deliberate within 14 days, consider and pass a resolution in accordance with Section 144 of the Constitution, whether the President is capable of discharging the functions of his office."

Daily Independent reported on Monday that Yar'Adua's loyalists are scrambling for a strategy to skirt the order.

It was the day his National Assembly (NASS) Adviser, Mohammed Aba-Aji, denied receiving any letter from the Villa for passage to lawmakers.

However, Northern Governors Forum (NGF) Chairman, Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger State, has blamed the rotational arrangement of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the vacuum in Aso Rock.

He cautioned those clamouring for the implementation of the party's constitution instead of the Nigerian Constitution, and warned of danger if the PDP toys with the future of Nigerians by its failure to respect the Nigerian Constitution.

He reminded them that the Nigerian Constitution is above the PDP constitution.

Said he: "Rotation is not in the Nigerian Constitution, it is only in the constitution of the PDP, and the Nigerian Constitution is very specific in solving the immediate problem we have on our hands today, which states that when the President is not there, the Vice President should take over.

"There is no rotation of the Presidency or any elective position in Nigerian Constitution, except as contained in the constitution of the PDP, which is only a political party.

"Therefore the portion of the Nigeria Constitution which stipulates that the Vice President should take over affairs in the absence of the President should be allowed to take its course."

Daily Independent

Related story: Abacha told Colin Powell about his coup

Hillary Clinton attacks corruption and bad governance in Nigeria

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton made scathing remarks on Nigeria's corruption and bad governance at a town hall meeting at the State Department in Washington, DC on Tuesday.

Answering a question from a departmental contractor, she described conditions in Nigeria as deteriorating.

"The corruption is unbelievable," she said. "When I did a town hall [meeting in August 2009] in Abuja, people were just literally standing and shouting about what it was like to live in a country where the elite was so dominant, where corruption was so rampant, where criminality was so pervasive."

Nigeria used to have a very high rate of literacy, she added, but in recent years illiteracy was growing and statistics measuring health were declining.

"The failure of the Nigerian leadership over many years to respond to the legitimate needs of their own young people, to have a government that promoted a meritocracy, that really understood that democracy can't just be given lip service, it has to be delivering services to the people, has meant there is a lot of alienation in that country and others."

The town hall meeting in Washington was held to mark the first anniversary of clinton's term of office as President Barack Obama's Secretary of State.

She suggested that poor governance and deteriorating living conditions had made young Nigerians ripe targets for militants looking for recruits to attack the West.

"Nigeria is facing a threat from increasing radicalization that needs to be addressed, and not just by military means."

Clinton had been asked about Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, the Nigerian who is being held for allegedly trying to blow up an airliner carrying 300 passengers to the U.S. on Christmas Day. The Al Qaeda group in the Arabian peninsula claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it was in retaliation for U.S. strikes on Yemeni soil.

Clinton said the U.S. government's information was that Abdulmutallab was disturbed by "his father's wealth and the kind of living conditions that he viewed as being not Islamic enough..."

All Africa

Related stories: Hillary Clinton arrives in Nigeria

Video report of Hillary Clinton comparing Nigeria's election to America's previous election in 2000

President Barack Obama's speech in Ghana in its entirety

U.S. to pressure Nigeria to embrace change

President Yar'adua returns this week

President Umaru Yar'adua's controversial two-month stay in a Saudi Arabian hospital will shortly come to an end when he returns to the country later this week, most likely on Friday, Daily Trust learnt from senior officials in Abuja and Jeddah last night.

The sources said elaborate arrangements have been made for the president's return, including a facelift of his office at the State House.

Sources said in Jeddah said Nigerian diplomatic officials there have been running around in recent days making final preparations for the president's impending departure. Although the officials said Yar'adua's health has improved a lot, it was not clear whether his impending return was hastened by increasing political pressure at home, including the two-week deadline given to the Federal Executive Council by Chief Judge of the Federal High Court Justice Dan Abutu to take a position on the president's ability to discharge his duties.

Incidentally, the Senate will tomorrow hold a crucial debate on the relevant sections of the 1999 Constitution and take a final position on the ill health of President Umaru Musa Yar'adua, which has kept him out of the country for 62 days today.

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Information and Media, Senator Ayogu Eze (PDP, Enugu North) told Daily Trust last night that the Senate would check what its powers are under the constitution and invoke the relevant sections to deal with the crisis.

After a closed door meeting with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Mahmud Yayale Ahmed last Thursday, Daily Trust gathered that Senate gave a Tuesday deadline to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) to come up with a concrete solution to the president's absence or face stiff legislative action.

Some senators have been pushing for activation of Sections 143 or 144 of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution which could see the president either impeached for refusal to comply with Section 145 or have his health status investigated. Ahead of the debate, Senate has denied allegations that some members of the National Assembly have been bribed to compromise their stance in the matter. Reacting to reports that some lawmakers have been paid to influence their views during the debate, Chairman Senate Committee on Information and Media, Senator Ayogu Eze (PDP, Enugu North) said the allegation is false and unfounded.

He said, "The Senate cannot be compromised. Besides, there is no issue to contemplate settling anybody, outside the few individuals who have become accustomed to the culture of being settled on every issue."

Eze also said, "This is false and the figment of the fertile minds of some fifth columnists who think that by discrediting the National Assembly, they will have a field day in the polity.

"The Senate, being a responsible institution, is and will always be guided by the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I am aware that our constitution has guaranteed certain freedoms, including the information to hold and impart information. But in exercise of these freedoms we must have respect for other people's freedom."

On the proposed debate on the Presidents' health scheduled for tomorrow in the Senate, Eze said every member shall be entitled to his or her opinion "at the end of which we shall base our action on the aggregate view of all senators.

Even then, we shall be guided by the constitution in whatever we shall do or say. I urge Nigerians to be patient and shun self-seeking people who will always exploit every situation for their selfish gains. I have no doubt that some of the views in the papers were sponsored to cause panic and thereby stampede some people to seek out people for settlement."

Daily Trust

Related stories: President Yar'adua hospitalized in Saudi Arabia

Video - CNN reports on Nigeria's missing president

60 percent of citizens don't have access to banks

A former staff of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Adviser to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on the development and implementation of the Microfinance Certification Program in the country, Peter van Dijk, has revealed that 60 per cent of Nigerians are under banked.

Dijk, who made this disclosure in his paper "Inclusive Finance and Savings Mobilisation" presented at the 4th Annual Microfinance Conference and Entrepreneurship Awards at the weekend in Abuja advised the Nigerian government to use all the technology and knowledge it has to address the situation and reduce poverty among its citizens.

He said Nigeria has the best and most important precondition to build a sustainable and inclusive financial sector.

The country, Dijk added, has many people who are economically active with an economy of scale needed for an improvement outreach but government is yet to integrate this huge potential into building an inclusive financial sector.

"Nigeria has the resources financially and non financially to make a change" he observed, adding that "You now have to take it into you own hands: integrate the huge potential you have with around 60 per cent of your population still being un-under banked, use all the technology and knowledge you have and build an inclusive financial sector which will help to reduce the poverty among your citizens".

Dijk called on the highest executive level of government and in particular, the Federal Ministry of Finance to rapidly make the National Microfinance Policy a coherent document in the sense of the inclusive definition of microfinance and integrate it into the national financial sector development strategy FSS2020.

Leadership

Related story: Video - Nigerian banks

Residents worry about their future in Jos, Nigeria

After the riots fueled by religious conflict between the Muslim and Christian community that left hundreds dead in Jos. Residents worry about their safety when security provided by the military eventually stops.

Related stories: Resurgence of religious riots in Nigeria

Video and transcript of Boko Haram leader Mohammed Yusuf interrogated before his execution

Video report of Islamist attacks spreading across Nigeria

Prank call to Nigerian televangelist

A lot of funny stuff out there on the interwebs, but this definitely takes the cake for now. Rational conclusions for this fellow not to know anything about such pop-culture references are: he just watches The Ten Commandments and a couple of Nollywood movies on his Telly or he doesn't own one. At least, even a Nigerian televangelist thinks the whole midicholorian thing is rubbish.

Related stories: Hitler defends Nigeria

Animated short 'Planes Immigrations Nigerians'

Naija who wants to be a billionaire

Kidnappers free foreign oil workers

Three British oil workers kidnapped in Nigeria have been freed, it has emerged.

The men and a Colombian colleague were seized at gunpoint last Tuesday on their way to work at a plant near Port Harcourt in the Niger Delta.

Nigerian police spokeswoman Rita Inoma-Abbey said the men, contractors working for Shell, were released on Monday night and "all of them look good". She did not say if a ransom had been paid.

Shell was unable to confirm the men had been freed.

A spokesman for the firm said: "We can't confirm it right now - we are looking into it and waiting for word."

The Foreign Office told the BBC it was aware of the reports and was making inquiries.

The men were kidnapped as they travelled by bus to the plant, and an ensuing gunfight left one police officer travelling with the workers dead and another man injured.

They were the first such workers seized from the unstable oil rich region in months.

Militants in the troubled Niger Delta have attacked pipelines, kidnapped petrol company employees and fought government troops since January 2006.

They want the federal government to send more oil industry funds to Nigeria's southern region, which remains poor despite five decades of oil production.

Ealing Gazette

Related stories: Gunmen seize Britons in Nigeria oil city Port Harcourt

Kidnapping culture in Nigeria on the rise

Video - Oil War

MEND kidnap crew from oil tanker

Jos death toll hits 40

The death toll in the crisis that hit Jos, Plateau State last Sunday, has risen to 40. This is as Muslim community in the city said it lost 16 of its members in the riot.

Also the Red Cross confirmed that about 4,000 refugees are now scattered in three refuge camps in the city.

According to a statement by M. S. Mudi on behalf of Jos North Muslim Ummah, over 150 women and children are now in the central mosque taking refuge, with another 35 receiving treatment, as a result of the attack by some youths.

Meanwhile, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has condemned the clashes which claimed several lives and property.

The forum in a text message by its national publicity secretary, Mr. Anthony N.Z. Sani said the renewed clash in Jos was senseless and asked government at all levels to formulate policies that will engage the youths in productive ventures.

It said violence of whatever form was not acceptable to God and Nigerians, pointing out that religious, political and community leaders must wake up and inspire cultural renaissance which should be based on core values of humanity.

The text message read: "Following yet another report of violent clashes in the precinct of Nasarawa Gwom of Jos town in Plateau state, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) wishes to say enough of senseless violence leading top loss of lives.

"This is because violence, be it political, religious or ethnic differences are not acceptable to God or Allah as well as the peace loving people of Nigeria and to the atmosphere needed for socio-economic development. Surely, no society can thrive on the basis of its factions but by tolerant accommodation of one another.

"Religious, political and community leaders must brace up and inspire cultural renaissance by working hard to overcome differences that divide the people and this should be based on core values of humanity.

"Our leaders must also think and work harder in order to come up with policies and programmes that would preoccupy our youths in productive ventures.

"ACF commends the security agents and the Plateau state government for bringing the situation under immediate effective control. The government should also go further and investigate the incidences with a view to bringing the perpetrators to book.

"ACF also commiserates with those innocent people who lost lives and properties in the course of the violent clashes. May God provide them with the fortitude to endure the losses and means for replacement", he said.

Meanwhile, commercial activities were paralyzed in the early hours of Monday, with corporate bodies like banks shutting their doors to customers, because of growing tension which enveloped the city centre.

The Red Cross officials said they are in dire need of relief materials and vehicles to cater for the 4,000 refugees now taken refuge at the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) regional academy in Jos.

The NDLEA Commander in Plateau, Mr. Ralph Igwe, said in Jos on Monday that many of the victims complained that their houses had been burnt.

"Those whose houses were not burnt are afraid of molestation by hoodlums. They are feeding themselves. We are constrained by the lack of fund to provide their immediate needs, because we didn't anticipate the crisis," he added.

Igwe said there might be food crisis in the camp, except normalcy returned, noting that the displaced persons had exhausted their foods.

He said the state government's delegation and officials of the Red Cross Society had visited the camp, but had yet to supply any relief materials.

"Many of the children, who slept outside yesterday in the cold, were coughing this morning," he added, and called for humanitarian assistance from well-meaning organisations.

Most of the affected persons alleged that those who attacked them in the Rikkos area of the city, were people they had lived peacefully with for several years.

They appealed for the supply of water and food items by well meaning Nigerians and organisations.

Muslim youths who stormed a church at Nassarawa Gwong Jos said the attacks by the Muslim youths are with out provocation.

They said it was "unfortunate that this hasty remark is coming from a very highly placed security personnel who is supposed to be the custodian of peace in the society who openly shows his bias against the Muslim Ummah when investigation had not commenced to ascertain what actually happen".

The statement said the hasty conclusion was nothing but an open instigation for reprisal attacks on the Muslims by the Christian pointing out that the Muslim Ummah has lost confidence of getting any protection of lives and their properties from the plateau state command under the leadership of the current commissioner of police in the state.

Also speaking, the man who was in the centre of the storm, Kabiru Mohammed said his house was burnt down in 2008 which necessitated it renovation.

He said he brought labourers to the site to effect the renovation and when work commenced on the site, some Christian youth stormed the site to prevent the labourers from working saying the area is mainly for Christian.

He said some people who call themselves indigene said he should be stopped from working on the site which prompted him to report the matter to some soldiers in the area.

He said when this was going on, one of the youths ran from the scene and went to mobilize others to the scene telling them that some Hausa youth beat him to a stage of comma and before he could say Jack Robbin the whole community invaded the site and problem started.

Mohammed added that the soldiers were pleading to the youth to be patient so that it could be sorted out but the youth insisted and there were stoning people in the area, all of a sudden we were told that they are fighting around Baptist that is all I know.

Similar, the Chief Immam of the Jos central Mosque Sheikh Balarabe Dawoud has appeal to politicians, religious and community leaders to caution their followers not to foment trouble in the state.

He also urged the youths to be patient with one another adding that no one should burn people's house or attack people on the street saying they should stop peddling unnecessary rumour which will also fuel the crises in the state.

Daily Champion

Related stories: Resurgence of religious riots in Nigeria

17 feared dead in Jos crisis

Video report of Islamist attacks spreading across Nigeria

Nigeria records first swine flu death

The Federal Ministry of Health yesterday warned the public to beware of the deadly HINI Influenza virus, commonly known as Swine flu, as Nigeria has officially recorded its first death from the pandemic.

Before the latest case, there was a suspected Swine Flu death in December last year but the victim had died before samples could be collected, according to the ministry.

A statement signed by the Special Assistant (Communica-tion) to the Minister of Health, Mr. Niyi Ojuolape, advised people with associated symptoms to go for medical check-up without delay.

Giving an update on the incidence of the H1N1 Influenza, he said as at January 18, 2010, Nigeria had recorded 11 laboratory confirmed cases.

Last year, a nine-year-old American girl had the flu sometime last year but she later recovered.

The most recent case was that of a 38-year-old woman from Bayelsa State living in Lagos who tested positive, according to the Ministry of Health.

She was said to have travelled to the US about three months ago. She fell sick six weeks ago and died on Tuesday, January 5, at a hospital in Lagos.

He explained that the Federal Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Lagos State Ministry of Health had collected samples from the index case and her contacts for further investigation.

Eight out of the 40 samples of close contacts collected were found to have tested positive to Influenza H1N1.

This, he noted, had prompted a meeting of Epidemiologists of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) along with the World Health Organisation (WHO) States' Surveillance Officers during which vaccine deployment plan was discussed among other important issues.

Ojuolape said enhanced disease surveillance including active case search in some designated health facilities is currently on in all the states of the federation and FCT.

He also said all documentation for the donation of Influenza H1N1 vaccine to the country including vaccine deployment plan had been completed and forwarded to WHO headquaters in Geneva.

In addition, the government is putting together all the required processes for the deployment of the vaccines, he explained.

Swine flu has flu-like symptoms such as coughing, lack of appetite, fever, running nose, vomiting, diarrhea, sore throats among others.

It is highly contagious and is believed to have killed thousands across the world.

This Day

Resurgence of religious riots in Nigeria

There is a troubling dimension to the agonizing state of things in Nigeria today. Despite the magnitude of crippling problems such as poverty, ignorance, hunger, disease and inept leadership ravaging the country, religious fundamentalists and purveyors of violence are still on the prowl. In what has now come to be seen as a recurrent ritual, an Islamic sect, this time known as Kala-kato (meaning "he has said") and claiming to be an offshoot of the original Maitatsine sect of the 1980s, clashed recently with soldiers from the 33 Field Artillery Brigade, Bauchi leaving over 80 people dead, according to reports, and scores of houses and property razed. Innocent victims of the holocaust are still counting their losses.

Yet, as concerned Nigerians ponder over the crisis of internal security mechanism in the country, the pervasive culture of impunity and the government's seeming complacency and lethargic disposition to the menace, certain questions beg for answer: For how long shall we continue with this situation as a nation? What are our national values? Does the country have enough intelligence structures in place to checkmate the recurring religious mayhem? What are the security agents doing to put a stop to this ugly trend? Why do we lack the political will to treat issues that are criminal in nature as such?

Under successive administrations until, perhaps, the military regime of General Ibrahim Babangida in the mid-1980s, religion in Nigeria was practised in the context of a secular state; it was institutionalized and rarely disruptive of the Nigerian public life. But unfortunately, the years since then have brought unanticipated developments in the relationship between religion and the polity.

First, contrary to the constitutional position, religion is very much in evidence in government, which means that the secular paradigm and freedom from religious bias that had dominated Nigeria's official life have come to be questioned. Second, rather than being contained within private endeavours, religion has increasingly been suffusing state institutions, establishing itself firmly in official matters. We strongly believe the country should be wary of this trend. Nigeria does not have an official state religion and no one individual or group should think of foisting it on the country.

The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 clearly states: "Every person shall be entitled to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, including freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom (either alone or in community with others, and in public or in private) to manifest and propagate his religion or belief in worship, teaching, practice and observance." Regrettably, certain actions or inactions of the Nigerian authorities, concerning their official approach to religious matters in recent times, all point to the contrary.

Besides the official posturing by Nigerian leaders during the regime of General Babangida that Nigeria was a member of the controversial Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) and the official representation of Nigeria at a meeting of an organization known as the G8 (group of eight Islamic nations, namely: Turkey, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Egypt and Palestine) during the regime of the late General Sani Abacha, there is an embarrassing rumour that Nigeria is a leading member of yet another organization called "Islam for Africa". We are apprehensive that official meddlesomeness in religious matters is at the root of the incessant religious tensions and crises bedevilling the nation.

The 2004 ethno-religious turmoil in Plateau and Kano States exposed the Federal Government's lack of objectivity in handling such volatile matters. The then President Olusegun Obasanjo, a Christian, chose to tongue lash Christian leaders at the slightest provocation, subsequently imposing emergency rule on Plateau, but leaving Kano, with a record of more violent riots, untouched. Ever since, the frequency with which Islamic extremists have unleashed terror on the nation leaves much to be desired. The danger inherent in such costly misadventure is that Nigeria is continuously on tenterhooks, but apparently unmindful that the thin thread of peace and tranquility might snap without notice.

That Bauchi alone witnessed three violent religious riots in 2009 is not a good omen for the peace of the nation. The deplorable trend persists because government appears helpless and lacks the courage to prosecute offenders and perpetrators of these evil acts. Besides, the government must take further responsibility for its failure to provide jobs for the growing population of idle youths. Until the underlying economic hardships are addressed, desperate youths will continue to be manipulated by selfish politicians and religious bigots to cause trouble. Islamic leaders themselves should not be exonerated from blame in the mass hysteria afflicting sections of the nation.

Community policing will go a long way in arresting this ugly development. Yet, we believe that Nigeria has a functioning intelligence network; the main challenge has always been acting on the available information. We must pull back from the brink. Nigeria cannot afford a religious war.

Daily Independent

Related stories: Video - Residents worry about their future in Jos

17 feared dead in Jos crisis

Police on red alert in Nigeria's capital, Abuja

Video report of Islamist attacks spreading across Nigeria

Clash between security forces and radical Islamist group leave dozens dead in Nigeria

American Varsity expels Yar'Adua's nephew over drugs

A nephew of President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua, Akilu Musa Yar'adua, aged 18, was expelled by the American University of Nigeria (AUN), Yola, over his alleged involvement in drug-related offences.

Akilu, son of late General Shehu Musa Yar'Adua, elder brother to the President, who was Chief of Staff Supreme Headquarters during General Olusegun Obasanjo's military administration from 1976 to 1979, was one of the 10 students expelled by the elite institution over various offences.

Speaking at the orientation organised for new batch of intakes of about 300 students, weekend, Dean of Students Affairs, Dr. David Kosoko, said the institution has zero tolerance for all vices within and outside its campus and charged the new intakes to strictly conform with the institution's rules and regulations.

He said authorities of the school would not hesitate to show any deviant student the way out, no matter how privileged the family might be.

Kosoko said 10 students were expelled for various offences, out of which six were expelled over drugs, and four over laptop thefts, adding that four others were suspended for various infractions against the school regulations.

He said a disciplinary committee of the university had to invite the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), to test the students involved and ascertain their levels of involvement in drug usage. Kosoko, who declined to mention the type and quantity of the illicit drugs found with the students, said an almost foolproof system of checking vices such as drugs and cultism have been put in place by the institution to check their students and call on other tertiary institutions in the country to come and learn from AUN, Yola.

This Day

Related stories: President Yar'adua hospitalized in Saudi Arabia

Video - Obasanjo in the hot seat in hardtalk interview

Sani Abacha's son convicted in Geneva, Swiss authorities confiscate $350m

17 feared dead in Jos crisis

At least 17 persons were feared killed and many wounded, as crisis yesterday erupted in Nasarawa Gwong, part of Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State. 

The government has since imposed a dusk to dawn curfew even as the state police commissioner, Mr. Greg Ayangting could not confirm whether places of worship were destroyed. Daily Champion gathered that 35 suspects have been arrested. 

This is coming barely  three weeks after the presidential panel looking into the killings of November 28 2009 Jos North crisis sat to unravel the causes and implication of the last crisis in some parts of the same local government.

Though there are two versions to the cause of yesterday’s crisis, our Correspondent gathered that problem started when a man whose house was destroyed during the last crisis attempted to rebuild his home. Some youths reportedly attacked him because he did not consult them before embarking on the project.

However, another version said the conflict began from a football pitch where a local match took place among the youths of Dutse Ukwu. The said match ended in controversy as fans and players of both teams engaged themselves in a free-for-all which led to tension in the area.

A statement by the state police command said there was a breach of peace in the afternoon at Nasarawa Gwom, Jos, and that the police have been able to rise up to the challenges.
The statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Muhammed Lerama, urged citizens to go about their normal business and warned that the police are ready to deal with anyone who puts the law into his or her hand.

Areas mostly affected by the crisis apart from Nasarawa Gwom include, Bauchi road, Dutse Ukwu, Congo Russia, Sarkin Mangun, Sabon Layi, Alikazaure and Massalacin Jumaa.
Meanwhile, a statement on the imposed curfew signed by the state commissioner of information,. Mr. Gregory Yenlong advised residents to “strictly adhere to this directive as all efforts are being intensified to ensure the safety of live and properties”.

He called on the citizens to “cooperate with the police and security agencies charged with the responsibility of maintaining peace and order and to remain calm as government was doing everything possible to nip in the bud, the prevailing security situation.” 

 Champion

Related stories: Police on red alert in Nigeria's capital, Abuja

 Video report of Islamist attacks spreading across Nigeria

Clash between security forces and radical Islamist group leave dozens dead in Nigeria

Wole Soyinka says Nigeria is becoming a failed state

Nigeria ranked 15th in the 2009 index of failed states in the world

Chinese investors to establish granite quarries, sugar cane plantation in Nigeria

A group of investors from China's Shan Dong Province has said that the Shan Dong Province would establish granite quarries and sugar cane plantation in Ekiti State as soon as necessary formalities were completed.

Speaking during a meeting with the state governor ,Engr.Segun Oni, over the weekend, leader of the Chinese team,Mr. Zhang Zhi Lin, who said his team was in the state to assess its business opportunities disclosed that his organisation had already established a mega quarry worth N2 billion in Ibadan , the Oyo State capital.

Mr. Lin who said that his team was impressed with what it has seen, stressed their readiness to join hands with the state government in its quest to turn the economy of the state around.

On his part, the governor assured the investors that his administration would continue to provide the necessary incentives for any one wishing to invest in the state.

He said his administration was walking tirelessly towards making Ekiti a haven for investment through the provision of good network of roads, world- class infrastructure, as well as safe, secure and investment friendly environment

Oni further disclosed that apart from taking steps to complete the long abandoned 132/33Kv sub- station in the state capital, his administration had concluded plans to establish six injection sub - stations as part of steps to boost electricity.

Governor Oni urged the august investors to take advantage of the abundant human and material rersources as well as favourable business climate in the state.

Leadership

Related stories: China invests $6 billion in Nigeria

Chinese firm to manage Nigerian airport

China to cremate 21 Nigerians if bodies are not claimed by December 15

Video report of Nigerians rioting in China